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Sunday, November 14, 2004
Speak out: Church’s role
By Charley Goodman
Liloan, Cebu
It doesn't take a foreigner to see the troubles plaguing the Philippines--political, economic, environmental, social, moral, cultural, religious--troubles that depress or destroy the dreams and opportunities of many Filipinos.
We need to ask: Why is it that, outside of Africa, the poorest countries tend to be those with the greatest religious influence? Specifically, Muslim and Catholic countries?
In Muslim countries, the answer is fairly clear but not in Catholic countries. I won't propose an answer. But the question should prod the Church to consider its role and responsibility from that perspective.
In the Philippines, religious symbols and acts are visible, and I respect that.
Passenger jeepneys have pious sayings on the sides and icons inside. Passengers regularly cross themselves when they sit down. Yet, crime and corruption are just as common on the streets as in government and corporate offices.
I recently paid for a lawyer's service. I saw Christian books (not Catholic) on the desk. But the lawyer didn't give me a receipt--for an obvious reason.
The Catholic Church has joined others in combating corruption. That is welcome. Sadly, the Church is silent on another problem: overpopulation.
It thus strangled its own credibility. It gives with one hand and takes with the other.
Overpopulation is the real threat. A poor family might do good with one or two children but has problems with each extra child.
In the States, the Church, after years of voluntary blindness, is facing the horrible sin of priests committing sexual abuse. Here, it is still choosing blindness in the face of a devastating population explosion.
But if the Church were to reverse its position and start supporting birth control in both action and word--that would make a big difference in stemming population growth and therefore in fighting poverty.
And its call to minister to the least of the brethren will carry real meaning.
(November 14, 2004 issue)
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